Paeonia plant named ‘RTPIV791-38’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Paeonia  cultivar named ‘RTPIV791-38’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive light red, fully double, mildly fragrant flowers. Plants are vigorous, symmetrical with strong stems holding flowers above foliage, and with attractive foliage through the Fall. The new cultivar is a  Paeonia , suitable for ornamental garden purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Paeonia hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘RTPIV791-38’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a breeder program conducted by the inventor, Thierry Rat. This new variety, hereinafter referred to as ‘RTPIV791-38’, was discovered as part of a planned breeding program. The inventors, Thierry Rat crossed the seed parent Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’, unpatented with the pollen parent, Paeonia hybrid ‘Golden Era’, unpatented during May of 2006. The resulting new variety was selected in a research nursery in Castel Sarrasin France during May of 2011.

After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor first organized propagation of ‘RTPIV791-38’ by shoot tissue culture at a commercial laboratory in L'Assomption, Quebec, during September of 2011. The inventor continued controlled testing and propagation, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety. Several generations have been reproduced and have shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘RTPIV791-38’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘RTPIV791-38’ as a new and distinct Paeonia cultivar:

-   -   1. Strong stems which hold the flowers uniquely erect and above         the foliage.     -   2. Unique light red, fragrant double flower.     -   3. Symmetrical, bushy plant shape.     -   4. Attractive foliage through Fall.

COMPARISON TO PARENT VARIETY

‘RTPIV791-38’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the seed parent variety Paeonia lactiflora ‘Miss America’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Miss America’ has a white, semi-double flowers, the new         variety has a light red, double flower.     -   2. The new variety has stronger stems.     -   3. Foliage of the new variety is more finely cut.

‘RTPIV791-38’ is similar in most horticultural characteristics to the pollen parent variety Paeonia hybrid ‘Golden Era’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Golden Era’ has a yellow, single to semi-double flower, the         new variety has a light red double flower.     -   2. The new variety is a more herbaceous plant.     -   3. The new variety is more Winter hardy.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘RTPIV791-38’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Bartzella’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ are similar to plants of ‘Bartzella’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Peonies. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, produce light red flowers, whereas flower of ‘Bartzella’ are yellow with a red center.

‘RTPIV791-38’ can be compared to the commercial variety Paeonia ‘Morning Lilac’ unpatented. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ are similar to plants of ‘Morning Lilac’ in most horticultural characteristics, as both are interspecific hybrid Peonies. Plants of the new cultivar ‘RTPIV791-38’ however, produce fully double, light red flowers, whereas flower of ‘Morning Lilac’ are darker in color, with significantly less petals. Additionally, plants of the new variety have more secondary flower buds then ‘Morning Lilac’ plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘RTPIV791-38’ grown outdoors in Moissac, France. The plant is approximately 6 years old.

The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘RTPIV791-38’ plants grown outdoors in Moissac, France. Plants are approximately 6 years old, in the ground. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Paeonia hybrid ‘RTPIV791-38’.

PROPAGATION

-   Typically by shoot tissue culture. -   Root description: Freely branching storage root with numerous feeder     roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Compact and vigorous perennial herbaceous shrub.     Symmetrical and rounded growth habit. -   Height: Approximately 60 to 70 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 115 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 60 to 70 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 1.3 cm measured between first and second             leaf.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Internode length.—Average 5.0 to 9.5 cm, highly variable.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 to 8 months.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf: Alternate, bipinnately compound, with an overall ovate shape,     which is wider than long. Average leaf 24 cm long and 29 cm wide.     Erect attitude. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Shape.—Broadly elliptic.         -   Quantity and arrangement.—3 primary leaflet further divided             into secondary leaflets of variable number and form All             leaflets sessile.         -   Average length.—Central leaflet average 12 cm.         -   Average width.—Central leaflet average 11 cm. -   Individual leaflet blades:     -   -   Shape of blade.—Broad elliptic, variably incised.         -   Apex.—Broadly acuminate, often with emargination.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Deeply incised.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Matte.         -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Flat to very minutely reflexed downward.         -   Color.—Upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A. Under side:             Near RHS Greyed-Green 191A.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 145A. Venation color under side: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 145A.         -   Petiole.—Length: Average 6.0 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm. Color:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D. Texture: Glabrous, moderately             glossy.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowers open approximately 60 days after     bud break in early Spring. Flowering extends over a period of 4 to 6     weeks. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Single, terminal or axillary flowers,     fully double, irregularly rounded with tight petal whorl. Flower     attitude erect. -   Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 8 to 12 days on the plant. -   Quantity of flowers: 3-5 per stem. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 15 to 16 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 7 to 8 cm. (Flower height). -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 20 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Tight, irregular whorl of 50 to 60             petals.         -   Size.—Length: Approximately 7 cm. Width: Approximately 6 cm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Margin.—Entire to sinuate.         -   Apex.—Typically emarginate.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous all surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Slightly ruffled, undulate. -   Color:     -   -   Petals.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS Orange-Red 31D             and 32D, base Red 46A. Lower surface: Near RHS Orange-Red             31D and 32D, base Red 46A. Fully opened: Upper surface: Near             RHS Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base Red 46A. Lower surface:             Near RHS Orange-Red 31D and 32D, base Red 46A. -   Petaloids:     -   -   Type.—Stamenoidal.         -   Quantity.—Average 10 to 20.         -   Size.—Length: Approximately 5.0 to 7.0 cm. Width:             Approximately 0.3 to 0.8 cm. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Globose.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144. Streaked Red-Purple 62A. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—5; 2 smaller and 3 larger.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 3.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Obcordate to obovate.         -   Aspect.—Cupped.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Margin.—Entire. Color: Interior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green             144A. Streaked Red-Purple 62A and Greyed-Orange 177A.             Exterior Surface: RHS Yellow-Green 144B. Streaked Red-Purple             62A and Greyed-Orange 177A.         -   Texture.—Glabrous. -   Fragrance: Mild.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Approximately 50.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 60B. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Elongated avoid.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 6D.         -   Pollen.—Not observed to produce pollen. -   Pistil:     -   -   Type.—Compound.         -   Number.—Average 7 carpels, variable.         -   Length carpel.—Approximately 2.3 to 2.7 cm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Claw shaped, acutely convex. Color: Near RHS             Red 48D.         -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Green 142D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to be susceptible nor     resistant to normal diseases and pests of Paeonia hybrid. -   Temperature tolerance: Typically USDA Zones 3 to 9. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Paeonia plant named ‘RTPIV791-38’ as herein illustrated and described. 